Safety mechanism for firearms



May 2, 1950 J. c. GARAND SAFETY MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS 5 Sheer.s-Shee'cl l Filed Sept. 26, 1945 May 2, 1950 J. c. GARAND 2,505,750

SAFETY MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS Filed sept. 2e, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 2 I Fig- Q May 2, 1950 J. c. GARAND SAFETY MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS 5 Sheets-Sheet '5 Filed Sept. 26, 1945 "so, acap` 61 and a butferfdiskiu.

Patented May 2, 1950 SAFETY'-MECHANISMFOR FIREARMS JohnC. Garand, Springfield, Mass.

Application Septemberi26g1945, Serial No. 618,805

..(.,Gi1anted under 'the act of.March 3, 1883, as amended April '30, 1928; 370,0. G. 757) .4 Claims.

The invention described .herein may .be manu- `factured and .used by or for `the Government.. for ,governmental purposes .without .the .payment `to meA ofany royalty. Ithereon.

This invention re1ates...toV arearm and,rr1ore vv particularly to ,a .ringmechanism thereof.

This application constitutes a continuation in part of my application' Serial No. 426,036, filed .January ,8, .1942i now Patent .2,386,2(l5iss11ed October 9, 1945.

' The general object of this invention is topro- `vide a simplified and vimproved firearm 4, capable ,of being.,pperated..=selectlve1y .,-as .a semi-.automatic Yor full automatic rearm. and beingprovidedfwith a-safety mechanism.

Another object of this l.invention is to ,provide an improved firing unit assembly comprising a 'trigger'. guardfla vatrigger, A-a :safety and l a Aseal',

which can be A assembled. to :or detached from .the

.iirearin, -as a Yunit.

' Thespecic natureof theK invention as well as otherA objects and advantages thereof: wi11- clearly appear from-a descri-ption of -a .preferred rern- Vbodiment as shown inthe-accompanying .drawfings inswhich:

Fig. -.1=is.a-partial vertical longitudinal sectional vview through mechanism of .thefirearm;

.Figa '1a/is` a continuation of .Fig -1; Fig. 2 vis' an isometricyiew, of-Atheftriggerf andsear assembly;

Fig. 3 is a-side view fof-,the Sear, searspring, and safety;

Fig. 4 isanisometric view of thetrigger plung- Fig. 5'is an elevational `.view of the receiver assembly viewed from the upper-rightffside;

Fig.' 'f6 -is .a `vertical -ztransverse @sectional view #taken on the planet-S of--F;ig.5;

vl Fig.A '7 -is 1a j right 'side elevationalY view fof the Fig. -8 is; av right :side elevational view.-;of. .the

liner;

Fig. '9 is rariront elevational .view of A.the bolt;

Fig. 10 isra-bottomrelevational viewrof thefbolt.

`The rearmcomprises Ya receiverassembly I, va barrel assembly 2, a boltassembly .3,ean.operat ing :rod unit 4, ya i trigger assembly... 5, Aa magazine Enfer .holding cartridges 8,f.an d:.a stock 1.

Receizzer Vassembly "The receiver 'assembly I comprises essentially a .receiver 9, a magazine latch :30, 'armagazine latch sprllgg, a liner '43, aA rear vsight assembly a combination rear sight andY ejector spring The receiver 9,'Fig..1, is in the formiof argenerally cylindrical hollow member deningn axial bolt-way I0 and is provided with two. downwardly depending lugs, a forward lug II.an'cl a rearward lug I2.through which are providedcoaxial holes I3 and I4 respectively, paralleltothe axis of bolt-way Ill for a purpose tofappearlater. In rear lug I2 is-a screw hole I.5.extending,up ward from the bottom of .thelugand a counterbored threadedhole I6 extending obliquely upward, radial to bolt-way Iffrom the left side.

An ejection slot I'I leads from `bolt-way '.Ill downwardly toward the leftbetween lugs I I- `and I2. A rounded groove I8 vin 4the rearwardface of forward lug II isfarrangedtoalign with slot I1 and provides clearancefor-.a cartridge case-16 being ejected.

A magazine well I9'is provided in receiver 9 leading from bolt-way I0 upwardly towardthe right, substantially opposite ejection slot..I1, .the receiver being eXtended-outwardlyaround .Well I9 to form a wall 20. A crosswise undercut2I is provided at the forward end of magazine well I9 `and a longitudinal slot 23 in a rearwardportion .22 oi' wall 20. The magazine latch 301s pivotally latch 3l! provides clearance for the spring `32 and shoulders 34 serve to limit the pivotal movement f of the latchwhen the /magazinewell I9 isempty. The upper-portion of latch 30A constitutes athumb vpiece V35 arranged so that forward pressure: of

the thumb against ythe latch pivots the thumb `provided. transversely vopposite openings 25 and 26 which give access to the lower edge of magayzine 5 incase it should get jammed'andshave to be pried out. Grooves 2'I rand 28 are provided in the inner'face of side Walls 2li vfor clearance, of

the magazine.

Five inwardly projecting splines38, preferably of'equal width, are provided in the rearward Ahalf v--are providedy for l cooperation with lbolt `I U01-being rounded at the'front corner for thatpurpose as shownat 33 and are equally spacedzaroundthe inside offthe receiver 9. -A slotllI isiprovided lextending through the Y-wall 4orf-the lreceiverdn bolt alignment with holes I3 and I4 in lugs II and I2 and extending from the rear end of receiver 9 forward and opening into hole I4. This slot occupies the space between two of the splines, the width of slot 4| corresponding to the width of the space between the splines. A small notch 42 is provided in one side of slot 4I for a purpose to appear later.

A camming shoulder 44a. is required in bolt-way I forward of splines 38 and facing rearward, i. e. toward the splines to initiate the rotating of the bolt relative to the splines. In order to obviate the difficulty of machining such a cam surface integrally in the receiver, tubular liner 53 with the rear end formed to constitute shoulders Ma and 44h is provided for assembly within receiver 9 being suitably secured in xed location therein as by means of a set screw 45 through counterbored threaded oblique hole I6. Shoulder 14a is rounded and is arranged to provide a camming action to bolt I 00 in a manner to appear later.

Shoulder 45h is square and serves as a supplementary stop to prevent excessive rotation of the bolt |60 as will be shown later. Liner d3 is cut away as at It to match ejector Il' and as at il to match magazine well I9. In the assembled relation, edges 48 of magazine well-cut Il in liner 43 serve as shoulders against which magazine 8 is held for positioning.

The use of a liner for obtaining a camming shoulder within the bolt-way in the receiver, Without involving the difficulties of making an interior radial shaving cut, provides obvious advantages in simplicity of manufacture.

The rear sight assembly 55 comprises a base v|, a plurality of sighting arms 52 integral with eachother and pivotally mounted on base 5I by means of a pivot pin 53 to which they are securely attached. Arms 52 are offset to the left of the barrel center line in order to avoid interference from the magazine well wall 2i! and magazine B when in assembly. A set screw 55 secures sight base 5| in location.

Receiver 3 is provided Ywith an outside longitudinal groove 5'! in alignment with the middle of magazine well I). The groove extends from the magazine well rearwardly under rear sight base .5| to a radial hole 58. A slot 55 is also provided in the under side of rear sight base 5I so that when base 5| is in assembled relation on receiver 9, the slot 55 and groove 5l are contiguous. The spring te is provided with one end arranged at an angle as at 6I for assembly in hole 53, the spring body extending forwardly through slct 55 in rear sight base 5| and groove 5l in receiver The forward end ofrspring 60 extends into magazine well I9 and is oiset downward as at 52 for the purpose of serving as a cartridge case ejector, as will be shown later.

Slot 55 in rear sight base 5I extends upwardly into the base a suiiicient distance so that the under side of rear sight pivot pin 53 projects into the slot. Flats 64 are provided on the pin 53 in spaced relation to sighting arms 52, the ilats v being arranged so that when one of the sighting arms is in sighting position, a corresponding flat will be engaged byspring 60 and the sighting arm will thereby be resiliently maintained in correct sighting position.

A thread 66 is provided on the rearend of receiver 9 for assembling the cap 61. This cap is provided for holding the buier disk 12 in loca- 'tion at the rear end of bolt-way I0 to serve as a stop for cushioning-the recoil stroke of the |00. On. one side of cap 6'I adjacent the open end is provided an oblique lug 68 and extending through such lug is a rounded, longitudinal, radially disposed slot 69 as shown in Fig. 1.

Barrel assembly The barrel assembly 2 comprises a barrel 80 of essentially conventional form with threads 8| for assembling to receiver 9, a chamber 82, and a bore 83. An enlarged front end bearing portion 84 is provided to serve as a bearing for a front sight comprising a sleeve 38 and a vane 89, the vane being oiset to the left with respect to the axis of barrel 30 in order to align with rear sight sighting arms 52. Sleeve 88 is assembled on bearing 84 and is secured in location by a dowel pin 00 provided for that purpose.

A second bearing portion 85 with a radial gas-Y port 86 through the bottom thereof is provided somewhat to the rear of front sight bearing 84. A sleeve member B5, integral with a, gas piston 96, is mounted on bea-ring 85. An aperture 91, in alignment with gas port 86, is provided extending from inside of gas piston sleeve radially outward to merge with an aperture 98 extending longitudinally therefrom through gas piston 96, thereby providing a continuous passage from the bore 83 of barrel 88 through gas piston Q6.`

Bolt assembly The bolt assembly 3 consists of a bolt |00, an extractor IIB, a firing pin |35, and a firing pin spring |40.

Bolt |05 is of generally cylindrical form and isrprovided with an axial firing pin aperture |0I, terminating at its forward end in a ring pin orifice |52. The juncture of firing pin aperture I||| and firing pin orifice I 02 constitutes a shoulder |03.

In the rearward portion of bolt |00 is a longitudinal slot |05 extending inwardly to intersect firing pin aperture IDI. The rear portion of slot |05Vis extended obliquely rearward to the right as at |06 forming at the rear an oblique cam surface |01 and at the forward end of slot extension |06 a cam surface |08. The left wall ||2 of slot extension |06 serves as a stop as will be shown. A slight shoulder |09 is provided in cam surface |08, all for cooperation with other parts as will be shown. A radial vent hole ||0 is provided through the wall of bolt |00, just rearward of shoulder |03 to permit escape of any gases passing through the ring pin orice |02 as a result of a punctured primer.

VIn the forward end of bolt I 00 is a circular recess III coaxial with firing pin orifice |02 for receiving the head oi a cartridge 8 when in engagement therewith.

An extractor groove IIA is provided along one side of bolt |00, with a pin hole II5' in the forward end of the groove and an undercut as at 6 at the rear end, all arranged for securing extractor |I8 in location, The extractor has a pin IIS and a flange I 20 arranged as in Fig. l0 to engage pin hole I|5 and undercut IIS respectively thereby locking the extractor in operable relation to the bolt. The forward end of extractor |I8 is offset in the form of a hook |2| and is arranged so as to engage an extractor groove 'I1 in the side of cartridge case 16, the offset |2| being beveled as at I22'on the outward face in order to permit engagement of hook I2I in a conventional extractor groove in the cartridge case 'I6 being seated in recess I I I. Y

Diametrically opposite extractor I I8 in bolt |00 is an ejector clearance groove |25. This groove extends from the front end of bolt |00 rearward to about the middle of the bolt at which point @asoman itf'is'extended-sdewiseitotheleft-asat'|26. "This fthe gas cylinder |46 on its "forward endaslidlbly `ejector clearance 'groove' 2-5'fan`d extension |25 engaging-gaspiston on barrel 8U. Capi-Ghia provide clearance for-ejector 62 when the" bolt lthreadablyfassembled Withbu'ier disk'12zthern. lrnoves. 'forward-and rotates'into'the locked pon fat-the end of bolt-way Ii@ tothe rearen'diof'resition. e :ceiver 9' and with slotrGS' in'lug t8?infaxialalign- On the rearward portion of bolt ltl, five lugs ment :with '.lnoleitin actuator i152. Actuator dalla, taub; !3c, teidandi I 313e are :provided for spring `guide I i is,` inserted in therearfzend V'ofiaccooperation Awith'espilnes 38 in receiver 9 in a 'ftuator'spring. 59," t'nefforwardendf' the spring manner similar to that described in my above being passed forwardly through 'slotvSS ini-lug referred to copendingapplication. However, in ioil'intoilrole ld in1actuatori52. accordance-withthis invention, lugs l30a and i361) Guide 'i661 is nowforced forward Icompressing eareflonger than vtheaotllers, lug 3351. being arspring 15e and telescoping into actuator1 l'zzuntil .ranged/toen-gage cammingshoulder Mo. on liner 'flug lsonthexguide t@ passes-through:slotv 43 in-receiverl` and-therebyinitiate rotation .of g'in lug 53 onfcapt'l. Hle'egiiideis then rotate'd bolt lil@ toward the lockedgposition as it reaches untl'luglzthereon'hase'passedzthroughmotch the endoftheforward stroke. Lug I3a is round Zin .receiverslotftl,; and fcornes: into-alignment ed at its forward end (not shown) toriacilitate *with a1 radial rkey-.way (not shown) inrcaplug-'BB .thiscooperation- 4l'ras aresult of wearer for any lI'whereupon. guide ieu-is 'allowedltofretract,'seatotherreason.boltu iails to stop its rotationin irig'lug 52: ori-spring guide 663' in-lugf infzcap `proper lockingposition, shoulder 451) is provided to -v 6l. yln this'positi'onz actuatorespringl-59iisY under .serveas -a-.supplementaryrstop by engaging lug considerable compressi thereby maintaining-acllbat 4the .appropriateiposition Rear corners tuator i522 under a positive"oiavardestressfat all 'L32 of bolt lugs S35 Aare,rounded'for a purpose `times. lto appear later. Trigger mechanism HThenring .pin idisefcylindrical form with a largediameter rear portion |36, `a medium di Aarnet/er middle, portion I3?,an`d a smalll diameter The trigger mechanism 5 consists essentiallyiof riggei' guard piece itt, a-trigger l'lgapawl a safety i, a sear 598, asear spring 203, plunger'z, plunger spring 22B. The trigger gir-rd piece 64 comprises a"'floor portion atrae.' ,er guard ring F56, and-'an upstanding lug Se? witnaverticallongitudinal bifurcation 55S. A sltlis'provided -in'oor vportion for triggerld anda forwardly-adjoining slot ITG for'safety mit. Inthe rearward "face f'lug I6? on trigger'gnard lis provided '.tip |38. `i.sltioul'rzier.i3d-separates portions |36 and 37. Firingpinspring Mil is assembled over 'thetip'lSBan'd middleportion 13.7 of ring pin l. l`3`5-agair1t.shoulder |39. YThe firing pin E35 and thespring i49areassernbledin firing pin apel ture "l il! with-the 'ringpin spring i130 engaged ybetween .shoulder'l on thering pin |35. and Shoulder' 93. in bolt f.

'Operating rod unit 'a -cylin'dricalrecess iii 'belowbifurcation |68 The Operating md ut Consistg Of an 0per in longitudinal alignment'withtrigger VIlllifor ating rod lya `set screw H58, an actuator 52, a *purpose to a-pefar la'terg A150 acounterbored an Remato? Spring 59, anda Spring guide ma* liole H2 is provided extending upwardlyithrough 'Operating rod-545 is'expanded at the forward 4' the 00? and. fohe eft sld? of mg M Handls 'end to form a cup or' gas 'cylinder I d6. The reafrarrange@ to ahgn m. assembly wfh'the :screw ,Ward end of theopeatmgmd comprises a Socket hole H'in rear lug l2 on receiver 9. A socket .l 41. and an Operating arm i fla, screw 2722 is provided for attaching trigger mech- Actuator |52 is ci generally cylindrical form amsmil t0 TeCeiVe' gl'byengagementthmugh and has an exiaumngnee cylindrical stud ses est@ Cwmebm'ed hole' "2| n'thetrgger) gufd'mto the forwardend arranged vfor engagement in screw hole 5 inreceiver luggia groove H3 Socket ,-Of the Operating ma mbing Secured vacross-lug 67 on' trigger guard |64' is provided "therein by set screw 452. --Actuator'lz is subifo? engaging earwa'd'lug'lz 0n receiver 9 fol --Stanuauyvhenom anV axially coincident noie lee "the purpose 0f aligning triegereuad |64 'with extending through the actuator'from the rear end 5U eCeVel' 9 When assembledvthelt@ to a'point'nearthe-forwardend. Actuator spring Triggl |74 comprises ngerpec |T5,"2Se&1 'F59 is engaged intnis'noiefi -A lug s55 on the SGOIJHS. a lue' il?, and is'provi'de'd with 'forupper Side gfactuator' 52 at the year end is pro- `vward andA rearward shoulders H8 and H9 re- -vi'ded'and gagged-e0 be engaged in 51m; m5 and spectively, andis pivotally mounted in'trigg'er slot extensionlfdn'bolt ll, whereby the n10-* 55'l510t 59h31 tmeans 'f "a trigger 'D111 l|30 The 4tion of actuator E52 is transmitted to the bolt mi) eldS 0f trigger Slot/|69 are arranged |20 Cooperate @as will be Vshown later. A shoulder |56, with a *Whf-SlOllldG'rS H3 arid''ig Oltggefl'l and 'forwaydly famg bevel t5?, is prgvde'd on the untherebyflimit the forward and rearward motion der'side'off-actuator 55E at the rear-end,` the pur- 0f |Sh`11`gg1` ELS desired. PaWl |82 iS inthe 'pose of which lwill'appearL later. "Flutesare pro-rifuform of a yoke-1andiis pivotally assembled byia vided in actuator i'lfor lightening purposes. Y'lDaWl Pin |35 lhl'ugh 1gS"|33,-&S12radd1e Sear vThe actuator spring guide'l in the'forrn of stopl'l'on'trigger iilf. "Pa-wl ISZi's undercut a'tubular meinberisprovided'for engagement in- Ias at 84' and arrangedf-sothat when tilted rear- Lsideftne rear end of the actuator' spring 59. This ward Vit Vpartly `covers sear'stop 'i'ybnt when `ginde-hasla ccllariifat its rearend and a rei-'i165tiltedforward it entirely clears 'thietop of 'seal' 'fdial lug 52, theccliarii serving as a shoulder stop H5. 'Thelegs' 0f paWl |82 terminate fforlengaging'the rear end or actuator spring |59. below pawl' pin i135 in tlrieforrn of .rearwardly Inassembly;actuator"[-555 is Vslida-bly engaged in l`curving Vhooks it, arranged to :engage-"trigger `:aligning holes 'if-Band Minlugs Hand I2 re "pin i'landthereby limit 'ltheforwarditipping :peetively on receiver Lug' IE5 on lactuator ``70"m'oton df ipawl l. "'Two'nairs-'of Y'notches are 1' i52- extends generally upwardlthrough slot Mjin 'fprovide'd'onitlie fforward '"*fesofV legs |83, Athe receiver@ intosloti 'inV bolt |09. "By this "lowerpa'ir llgsbeingsligii .1 vbelow the"pivota1 means iongitu'd-inalmotion of the actuator {52"s laxis of the .pawl aand theuppeypair it' being "transmitted to'theblt l. Operating rod |45" is islightly' above the'pivotal faxis. fThe purpose of assembled to axiallstud153l o-theactuator 52,175 these notches will appearlil'ater.

In assembly, safety |90 is pivotally secured in safety slot |10 by means of a safety pin |96. The lower portion of safety |90 comprises a finger piece 9| and is arranged so that it can be easily pivoted forwardly or rearwardly by the finger of the operator. The upper portion of safety |90 constitutes a stop shoulder |92, a forward or fire notch |93 and a rearward or "safe" notch |94.

Sear |98 is pivotally secured at its forward end |99 in the bifurcation |88 of lug |61 on trigger guard |54 by a sear pin 205. This forward end |99 of Sear |98 is also bifurcated, the bifurcation 20| extending rearwardly as at 202 on the under side of the sear as shown in Fig. 3, to accommodate the scar spring 208.n Arcarwardly and upwardly facing beveled shoulder 203 is provided on the upper surface of sear |98 for cooperation with the bevel |51 on shoulder |55 on actuator |52 as will be shown under operation.

Rearward of shoulder 203, two vertical notches are provided in the left side of the sear. The forward notch 204 is provided for cooperation with safety |98, the rear notch 205 for coopera-y tion with Sear stop |16 and pawl |82 on trigger |14 as will be shown.

Sear spring 208 is secured in bifurcation 20| in sear |98 by means of the sear pin 288 which passes through coils 209 of the spring. The ends of the spring are extended as at 2|8 and 2H. Spring 208 is assembled under torsional compression, the upper end 2|0 being arranged to engage sear |98 in bifurcation extension 202 thereby stressing the sear upwardly, the lower end 2|| of the spring being in the form of a hook as shown in Fig. 3, and arranged to selectively engage safety |99 in one or the other of notches |93 and |94, thereby resiliently locking the safety |90 in either the fire or safe position as desired and at the same time furnishing the torsional stress required to bias the sear |98 upward.

Plunger 2| 4 is in the form of a two-tined fork, tines 2|5 and shank 2|6 being as shown in Fig. 4. Shank 2|6 has shoulders 2|1 and a short tongue portion 2|8. Plunger spring 220 is provided for assembly within recess |1| in trigger guard lug |61. The tongue portion 2|8 of shank 2|6 of plunger 2|4 iits inside the coils of spring 220, shoulders 2|1 being in engagement with the outer end of the spring. The tines 2|5 of plunger 2M straddle safety |90 and are arranged fcr selective engagement in notches |85 or |81 in pawl |82 as desired, being held in 1ocation by the expansive force of spring 228.

When the tines 2|5 of plunger '2 I4 are engaged in lower notches |88 in pawl |82, the line of application of the resultant thrust is below the pivotal center of the pawl, hence the pawl tips forward (clockwise) till hooks |85 on the pawl legs |83 engage trigger pin |80. When tines 2|5 are engaged in upper notches |81, the direction of application of the resultant thrust is above the pivotal center of the pawl |82 and hence the pawl is tipped rearward (counterclockwise) until sear stop |15 is engaged in undercut |84. The purpose of all this will appear later. In either case the thrust exerted by plunger spring 228 and transmitted through plunger 2|4, pawl |82 and -pawl pin |88 to trigger |14 is above the pivotal center of the trigger, hence trigger |14 is always stressed counterclockwise (Fig. 1). It is therefore obvious that plunger spring 220 also functions as a trigger spring.

Lug |11 on trigger |14 is arrangedfor limiting the downward motion of sear |98, by engagement with the underside of the Sear and thereby prevent overstressing or shearing of sear spring 208.

Stock The stock 1 is of conventional type adapted to fit the above described mechanism.

Operation The above described firearm is of the gas operated type, the gas being taken from the bore 83 of barrel 50 through gas port 86 into gas cylinder 48 on the end of operating rod |45, the gas pressure developed in the gas cylinder forcing the operating rod |45 and the actuator |52 rearward.

As actuator |52 moves rearward, actuator spring |59 is subjected to additional compression, hence at theV end of the rearward stroke spring |59 is under maximum compression. Therefore the full compressive force of the spring is exerted forwardly against actuator |52. This force causes the actuator to immediately return forward whereupon bevel |51 on shoulder |56 on actuator |52 engages beveled shoulder 203 on sear |93, camming thev sear downward, but sear stop |16 on trigger' |14 engages the sear just to the rear of trigger slot |89 thereby preventing further downward motion and retaining shoulder 253 thereon in engagement with shoulder |58 on the actuator so that actuator |52 is stopped immediately after bolt |50 is locked in ring position, but while the bolt is still about one-half inch from the extreme forward position.

When nger piece |15 of trigger |14 is pulled back, sear stop |18 on the trigger is pivoted forward out of engagement with sear 98 into alignment with trigger slot |58 thereby permitting the sear to move downward under the camming force of actuator |52, which, being freed from engagement by the sear, moves forward under the thrust of actuator spring |59. Lug |55 on the actuator engages firing pin |35 driving it forward to strike the cartridge.

As soon as the cartridge 8 is fired, the gas pressure developed tends to force the cartridge case 18 and bolt |88 rearward. As soon as the bullet of cartridge 8 has passed gas port 85 in the barrel 88, gas escapes through the port 88 and aperture 91 into gas cylinder |46 on operating rod |45 driving the entire operating rod assembly rearward to repeat the cycle above described.

In order to obtain semi-automatic re, pawl |82 on trigger |14 is normally pivoted forwardly by engagement of plunger 2| 4 in lower notches |86 on the legs |83 of the pawl. In this position, the pawl |82 is arranged so that it comes into resilient engagement with the forward face of trigger notch 255 before sear stop |18 on trigger |14 passes out of engagement with sear |98 into trigger notch 285.- When actuator |52 has moved rearward on the recoil stroke, and shoulder |55 thereon has passed out of engagement with shoulder 203 on the sear |98, then the sear is .pivoted upward by sear spring 208, and pawl |82 snaps forward under the forward edge of trigger notch 285 so that shoulder |56 on actuator |52 will be engaged by shoulder 203 on sear |98, and the sear will be maintained in this high `position until finger piece |15 on trigger |14 is released, whereupon pawl |82 moves out of engagement with the Sear which drops into engagement with sear stop |15 on trigger |14, ready for iiringby Ypulling the trigger.

Iffitlsdesiredto have theirearm-` operate fully automatic; the trigger assembly is removed from the rearm, and the plunger 2l@ is moved into' engagement in" upper'- notches |8l in pawl. |82 and the trigger assembly reassembled to the iirearm.` In this position the pawl is pivot-ed rearwardly and in all positions of the trigger l' andi is maintained in alignment with trigger notch 235, out ofthe way of the scar,A so' that ron the forward stroke of the'Y actuator, sear" iSSwill be cammed out of engagement' therewith unless trigger |14 has been'release'd and Sear stop Vie' thereon has again moved into the path of the' Safety" |95 is arranged so that when" finger piece fdl isvv pivoted rearwardly, stop"vv shoulder |92 is forward ofy safety notch 29d and prevents the Sear |98 from dropping to permit shoulder 203 thereon from disengaging shoulder |56 on actuator |52. In'V this position, the rearm cannot be fired, for the safety stop shoulder |92 holds sear 98 in an even` higher position than would Sear stop` |76 on the triggerv l'll; When safety IQG is inthe'above' described position, lower end 2H of sear spring 2% is engaged in rearward Ynotch |945 of the safety. Thisis the safe position. In the forward or nre position nger piece lI of safety let is pivot-ed forward, spring end 2|| is engaged in forward notch |93 of the safety and stop shoulder m2 thereon, now being in alignment with safety notch Edd in sear |98; is out of the way of the scar, thereby per-l mittingjdownward motion of the scar.

I claim: y

l. In a firearm having a firing mechanism, the improvement comprising, a Sear pivotally mounted in the firearm and arranged to retain-i the firing mechanism in a cocked position, said scar b'eing pivotally `oiased downwardiy by the `rfiring mechanism, said sear having a trigger notch and a safety notch therein defined by forward and rearward edges, a trigger pivotally mounted in the firearm underlying said sear and having an upstanding trigger projection thereon, said projection being constructed and arranged so that in the normal position of the trigger and the cocked position of the firing mechanism the trigger projection engages the scar adjacent the rear edge of said trigger notch to prevent downward movement of the sear and in the retracted position of the trigger the trigger projection aligns with said trigger notch thereby permitting downward movement of the sear, a pawl pivotally mounted on the trigger at a distance above the pivotal center of said trigger, said pawl lying adjacent said trigger projection and extending upwardly toward said scar, said pawl having a pair of grooves on the forward edge thereof, a plunger resiliently mounted in the firearm and selectively engaging one of said grooves, said trigger being biased toward its relaxed position by said plunger, said grooves being oppositely disposed relative to the pivotal center of said pawl so that said pawl is selectively displaced rearwardly into alignment with said trigger notch irrespective of the position of the trigger or said pawl is selectively displaced forwardly to engage the forward edge of said trigger notch as said trigger is pulled, a safety pivotally mounted in said rearm underlying said sear, and means for selectively positioning said safety in either a safe position or a fire position, said safety having an upstanding safety projection thereon, said safety projection being constructed and arranged so that in the safe position of the safety the safety projection underlies the'searadjacent the safetyA notchY to prevent, downward,`

movement-of the. sear and in' there position of the safety, the safety'projection aligns with-y saiety notch thereby permitting downward movement of the sear. 2. In a -rearm having a firing mecha-nismfthe improvement comprising, a sear pivotaliy mount ed in' thel firearm and arranged. to retain? the firing mechanism in` a'cockedposition, said sear' b'eingpivotally biased downwardly by the firing; mechanism, said scar having a trigger notch andf; awsaiety notch therein defi-ned' by forward andV rearward edges, ar trigger pivotally; mounted: in the-firearm underlying said` scar andl having anupstanding trigger projectionr thereon, saidpro-v jecti'on being' constructed andA arranged so that the normal position of the trigger and the cockedl position of the firing mechanism the trig ger projection engages the sear adjacentthe realt` edge of said trigger notch to prevent downward movement of the sear andin the retracted posieI tiori oft the trigger the trigger projection aligns;

with said trigger notch thereby permitting downward movement' of. the sear, a pawl pivotallyg-- mountedon the trigger latadistanoe` above thel pivotal center of said trigger, said pawl lyingadj'acent said trigger' projection and extending.:

upwardly toward said sear, saictpawl having a:

pair of grooves on the forward edge thereof, a; piunger'resilicntly mounted in the firearm andl selectively engaging one'offsaid Vgrooves,said triggerbeing biased;toward:A its relaxed position by. said plunger, saidi grooves-being oppositelyl dis-v,l

posed relative tothe pivotal center of saidY pa'wl so'that said pawl is selectively displaced rear--y wardly' into alignment with said trigger notchirrespective of the position of the trigger 0r said pawl is selectively displaced forwardly to engage the' forward edge Aoi, said trigger notch as saidtrigger is pulled, a safety pivotally mounted in said firearm underlying said sear, said safety being provided with a safe groove and a nre groove and having an upstanding safety projection thereon, and an exterior spring mounted in said trigger guard and operating between said sear and said safety, said spring having a hooked end selectively engaged in one of said grooves in said safety, said spring andr said safety being constructed and arranged so that when said spring is engaged in said safe groove in said safety the safety projection underlies the sear adjacent the safety notch in said sear thereby preventing downward movement of the Sear and when said spring is engaged in said iire groove in said safety the safety projection aligns with said safety notch in said sear thereby permitting` downward movement of the sear.

Vv3. In aY firearm having a firing mechanism, the improvement comprising, a sear pivotally mounted in the rearm and arranged to retain the firing mechanism in a cocked position, said sear being pivotally biased downwardly by the ring mechanism, said sear having a safety notch therein, a safety pivotally mounted in said fire- 11 said safe groove in said safety and the safety projection underlies the sear adjacent the safety notch in said sear thereby preventing downward movement of the sear and when said spring is engaged in said nre groove in said safety the safety projection aligns with said safety notch in said sear thereby permitting downward movement of the sear.

4. In a firearm having a firing mechanism, a detachable trigger assembly comprising, a trigger guard, means for detachably securing said trigger guard to said firearm, a sear pivotally mounted on the trigger guard and arranged to retain the firing mechanism in a cocked position, said sear being pivotally biased downwardly by the ring mechanism, said sear having a trigger notch and a. safety notch therein defined by forward and rearward edges, a trigger pivotally mounted in the trigger guard underlying said sear and having an upstanding trigger projection thereon, said projection being constructed and arranged so that in the normal position of the trigger and the cocked position of the firing mechanism the trigger projection engages the sear adjacent the rear edge of said trigger notch to prevent down- Ward movement of the sear and in the retracted position of the trigger thetrigger projection aligns with said trigger notch thereby permitting downward movement of the Sear, a pawl pivotally mounted on the trigger at a distance above the pivotal center of said trigger, said pawl lying adjacent said trigger projection and extending upwardly toward said Sear, said pawl having a pair of grooves on the forward edge thereof, a

plunger resiliently mounted in the firearm and selectively engaging one of said grooves, said trigger being biased toward its relaxed position by said plunger, said grooves being oppositely disposed relative to the pivotal center of said pawl so that said pawl is selectively displaced 12 rearwardly into alignment with said trigger notch irrespective of the position of the trigger or said pawl is selectively displaced forwardly to engage the forward edge of said trigger notch as said trigger is pulled, a safety pivotally mounted in said trigger guard underlying said sear, and means for selectively positioning said safety in either a safe position or a fire position, said safety having an upstanding safety projection thereon, said safety projection being constructed and arranged so that in the safe position of the safety the safety projection underlies the sear adjacent the safety notch to prevent downward movement of the sear and in the lire position of the safety, the safety projection aligns with said safety notch thereby permitting downward movement of the sear.

JOHN C. GARAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 817,198 Smith Apr. 10, 1906 1,907,164 White May 2, 1933 2,086,339 Sesso July 6, 1937 2,112,268 Burton Mar. 29, 1938 2,174,851 Williams Oct. 3, 1939 2,214,071 Swebilius Sept. 10, 1940 2,242,496 Williams May 20, 1941 2,249,231 Smith July 15, 1941 2,344,563 Punsalan Mar. 21, 1944 2,345,077 Swebilius Mar. 28, 1944 2,386,205 Garand Oct. 9, 1945 2,391,237 Horan Dec. 18, 1945 2,396,816 Boudreau Mar. 19, 1946 2,399,253 Reilly Apr. 30, 1946 

